€57,000 approved to tackle illegal dumping in Kerry- Griffin

Brendan Griffin
Kerry

27th April 2018

€57,000 approved to tackle illegal dumping in Kerry- Griffin
A further €26,000has been approved to tackle litter, dog fouling and graffiti
Some €57,000 in funding has been approved to tackle illegal dumping in Kerry, with a further €26,000 pledged to crack down on litter, dog fouling and graffiti, accordind to Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin.
Minister Griffin said the aim is to reduce illegal dumping and nuisance litter by providing funding for projects tackling the problem.
“The idea is to develop an integrated and effective combined approach with local authorities, communities and other state agencies.
Minister Griffin said: “Under the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, the Anti-Dumping Initiative funding will empower people across Kerry to take action against those in society who commit criminal acts against their communities by wilfully and irresponsibly dumping their waste and spoiling the most valuable asset we have – our natural environment.
A wide range of clean-up and restorative projects led by community, environmental and sporting groups have been approved for funding here in Kerry.
Kerry 4 Illegal Dumping (a) Removal of illegally dumped waste from various identified dumping locations
Illegal Dumping (b) Covert surveillance of various dumping locations
Bulky-waste in-take event (2 locations)
Clean-up of River Lee Estuary
Provision of static survelliance camera at Chapel Street, Tralee €57,000

Separately, an allocation of €26,000 to tackle graffiti, dog fouling and litter in Kerry will also greatly benefit our locality.
“Local authorities use this programme to raise awareness and encourage behavioural change to help tackle graffiti and littering of all types, including gum, cigarette butts and dog fouling.
“Dog fouling is perhaps the most intrusive type of litter and a constant source of annoyance for us all on our streets, in our parks and on our beaches, posing many public health risks, particularly for children.
“Each local authority is responsible for selecting the suitable awareness projects that receive funding.
“Littering is environmental sabotage but money alone cannot solve our litter problems. It takes a behavioural change across the board and I am confident the awareness campaigns that will be funded through this scheme at a community level in Kerry will have a real impact.”
“I want to pay tribute to the passion, energy and dedication of hundreds of local community and voluntary groups, schoolchildren and teachers who are taking their civic responsibilities seriously every single day here in Kerry through the many anti-litter initiatives that they drive across our communities for the preservation of our environment.”
Minister for Environment Denis Naughten said: “Since the introduction of the Anti-Dumping Initiative last year, I have provided €3.3 million to local authorities in every county in the country to respond strongly to the challenges that those who choose to dump in our communities poses to the health, well-being and economic development of their own friends and neighbours.
“Our communities are central to the success of the Anti-Dumping Initiative. While they are the victims of this crime they have demonstrated through their active participation with this initiative that they are not prepared to surrender their beaches, mountainside, parks or streets to those amongst us who don’t take responsibility for the waste that they produce.
“It’s hugely important for me to support and assist community effort with significant funding and recognition through the 2018 Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme.”
ENDS
For Further Information Please contact Brendan on 087-6528841